The Sport of Kings

The Sport of Kings is the eighth album by Canadian hard rock band Triumph, released in 1986. It was recorded at the band's home studio of Metalworks Studios from May to August 1986.

History

This is the second-to-last studio album to feature the band's guitarist and primary songwriter Rik Emmett, and it clearly represents the difficulties the band was experiencing at the time. Mike Levine played no keyboards on the album; three outside keyboardists were hired to create the keyboard sounds of the album. Rik Emmett sings lead vocals on six of the album's ten songs with vocals; four songs were sung by Gil Moore, and one track was sung as a duet by the two vocalists. The recording of The Sport Of Kings was marred by tension between Triumph and their label MCA. Perhaps not surprisingly, Emmett has since expressed his dislike for much of the album. Adding to the tension was Emmett's request that the recording be done at Estudio L2K in Majorca. Only three of album's songs has ever been performed live by Triumph, and one track was performed live by Emmett during his first three solo tours.

Track listing

Side one

1. "Tears in the Rain" (Emmett, Levine, Moore) – 3:55
   • Lead vocals: Gil Moore
2. "Somebody's Out There" (Emmett, Levine, Moore) – 4:04
   • Lead vocals: Rik Emmett
3. "What Rules My Heart" (Emmett, Huff, Levine, Maloney) – 3:52
   • Lead vocals: Gil Moore
4. "If Only" (Emmett, Levine, Moore) – 4:00
   • Lead vocals: Rik Emmett
5. "Hooked On You" (Emmett, Levine, Moore) – 3:22
   • Lead vocals: Rik Emmett & Gil Moore

Side two

1. "Take A Stand" (Emmett, Levine, Moore, Santers) – 4:33
   • Lead vocals: Rik Emmett
2. "Just One Night" (Fanucchi, Martin, Schon) – 3:40
   • Lead vocals: Gil Moore
3. "Embrujo" (Emmett, Levine, Moore) – 1:29
   • Lead vocals: Instrumental
4. "Play with the Fire" (Emmett, Levine, Moore) – 5:18
   • Lead vocals: Rik Emmett
5. "Don't Love Anybody Else But Me" (Miller, Roynesdal) – 3:55
   • Lead vocals: Rik Emmett
6. "In the Middle of the Night" (Emmett, Levine, Moore) – 4:34
   • Lead vocals: Rik Emmett

Personnel

• Rik Emmett – lead & rhythm guitars, lead & backing vocals
• Gil Moore – drums, percussion, lead & backing vocals
• Mike Levine – bass guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals

• Lou Pomanti – synthesizer, synthesizer programming, keyboards
• Michael Boddicker – synthesizer, keyboards, synthesizer programming
• Scott Humphrey – synthesizer, keyboards, synthesizer programming
• Johnny Rutledge – backing vocals
• David Blamires – backing vocals
• Neil Donell – backing vocals

Production

• Mike Clink – producer, engineer
• Thom Trumbo – executive producer
• Bob Ludwig – mastering
• Yoshiro Kuzumaki – mastering
• Brett Zilahi – remastering on 2005 re–issue
• Harry Witz – engineer, sound advisor
• Noel Golden – assistant engineer
• Toby Wright – assistant engineer
• Dave Runstedler – assistant engineer
• Allen Abrahamson – assistant engineer
• Tommy Steele – design
• Adamoff – cover art concept

Charts

Album

Singles

External links

• The Sport of Kings Entry At Official Triumph Homepage
• Info At Fan Site